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[Asrg] 1c. Analysis of Spam - biological approach

2004-02-19 04:08:37
Gentlemen,

I was wondering if it could be useful to take a somewhat unorthodox view
at the problem of spam (for a change).

Consider the multipliciy of Internet email users ("email system") as a
biological organism.  Look at spammers as parasites (or bacteria, or
cancer cells).  Like parasites/bacteria, spammers support their life by
sucking resources from the hosting organizm, and possibly poison it with
toxic output.

Now, in the biological world, there can be several scenarios of
relationship between the host and parasites:

A. parasites have negligible or positive effect on the host's health. 
(in this case, they are called symbionts).

B. parasites have negative impact on the host's health (the host suffers
from a desease).

B.1. The host gets active defense against parasites and eliminates them
(gets well himself, or thanks to medical treatment).  Parasites die.

B.2. The host gets passive defense against parasites and do not suffer
anymore, while the parasites stay alive (scenario turns to 'A').

B.3. The host continues to suffer but stays alive, feeding parasytes
(chronic disease).

B.4. The host eventually dies, bringing parasites to death as well
(terminal desease).

Now, it could be interesting to learn which conditions define the choice
of scenario in the biological world, and try to translate them to the
"world of email".  This way, we can hope to get:

- prognosis for the further development of spam "desease" 
- estimation of potential effect of various proposed "medecines"
- clues on where to look for the best remedies

Anyone with a degree in bioscience here?  Or willing to bring in someone
knowledgeble?  Any previous works in this area?

Eugene


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